Sep 16, 2012 6:43 AM

The joys of living in N.E. were evident this morning as the thermometer showed just 40 degrees when I headed out to run. Windbreaker, gloves and running shorts, just the right combination to have non-runners shaking their heads as they drove by...lol

Anyway, I ran an 8 mile out and back with the intention of running marathon race pace once I made the turn for home. Time going out was 1:14:26, or a 9:18 pace. Coming back was 1:10:59 or an 8:52 pace. I had a tough time with pacing coming in, I'd run one mile in 8:44, then 8:58 the next. I kept that up most of the way, slowing one mile, then surging the next. Obviously, I need to get a better handle on what 8:57's feel like before race day, or it'll be a long day.

I'm happy with the time though, running race pace at the end of 16 miles gives me hope...

Rich, I don't know if you should worry too much about surging while you're running - I think if you're consistent for 2 mile laps that it will work out. Did my 2nd 1/2 marathon today. This was a 3 laps around Lake Merced (with a short cut on the 3rd lap). Average pace for lap 1 (~4.5 miles) 8:18/mile, Lap 2 8:22/Mile and Lap 3 (~4.1 mile) *:11/Mile. Total time 1:48:33 (by my watch - ~1:48:36 official time). No chip for this race, but entry fee was only $10 for late registration! My original goal was 1:55 with stretch goal of 1:50 - so I'm pretty high right now. Race predictors were ~1:46 (based on 5k PR), so I'm pretty close to where I should be. I guess I'm ready to train for a 1/2 instead of my 10K training. My 10K race is in two weeks, predicted time is ~48:10. Might be possible...

I THINK even pacing is important in a marathon to conserve energy, but could be wrong. Hopefully by race day I'll have a better feel for the pace I want to run, I'm pretty sure 8:45's will get me in trouble...lol

Hi D.H., I ran at race pace in today's run after reading your post about marathon paced running and doing a little research on the subject. With 2 weeks to go before the race, hopefully I'll get the training benefit from it. Thanks!

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